The Quality of Life Impact of Vascular Anomalies on Patients and Their Families: Experience of a Tertiary Australian Centre.

AIM: Chronic paediatric conditions often significantly impact the patients' and their families' quality of life (QoL). There is a paucity in the medical literature around the QoL impact of paediatric vascular anomalies on patients and their families in the Australian context. This study aims to address this gap. METHODS: We conducted a three-month prospective questionnaire study using the children's dermatology life quality index (CDLQI), the outcome measures for vascular malformations (OVAMA), and the family dermatology life quality index (FDLQI). RESULTS: Twenty-five paediatric patients and 27 family members were recruited for the study. The mean scores for CDLQI, FDLQI, and OVAMA were 5, 6, and 33 respectively. The most reported QoL impact reported by paediatric patients was change of clothing and participation in sports whilst the most reported QoL impact reported by family is emotional stress and other people's reactions. The OVAMA questionnaire results highlight the significant impact caused by the change of colour of the skin due to vascular anomaly, which corresponds to the QoL impact reflected by the CDLQI and FDLQI surveys. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the appearance-related quality-of-life impact of vascular anomaly experienced by both patients and their families within the Australian context. The findings underscore the potential benefit of cosmetic interventions in improving the overall well-being of this patient population.